Apparatus for capping containers



June 7, 1949. F. w. KRUE'GER 2,472,664

v A PPARATUS- FOR CAPPING CONTAINERS Filed July s, 1944". v,12shew'6s-sheet 1 L/ f/ Hl! lll 7 v lllllllllllllh June 7, 1949. F. w. KRuGr-:R

APPARATUS FOR CAPPING CONTAINERS 12 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 3, 1944 y F. w. KRUEGER APPARATUS FOR GAPPIG CONTAINERS June:l 7, 1949.

12 SheetSheat 3 Filed July s, 1944 F. w. KRuEGl-:R APPARATUS' FQR CAPVPING CONTAINERS- Filed July 3, '21944 @n/@wwwa plu'.

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F. W. KRUEGER APPARMTUS? FOR CAPPING CONTAINERS June 7, 1949.

Filed .my 5.1'944 12 SheetsSheet 5 l 7l/70%' Wfl/MW@ l.. Il... 1

June 7 1949. F.1`w. 'KRUEGER 2,472,664

APPARATUS FOR GAPPING CONTAINERS Filed July-3, 1944 12 Sheets-Sheet 6 hw/fr June 7, 1949. A F. w. KRUEGER 2,472,664

APPARATUS FOR OAPPING CONTAINERS I Filed July s, 1944 12 sheets-sheet 'v Wma/fr June 7, 1949. F. w. KRUEGER VPPARA'TUS FOR CAPPING CONTAINERS 12 Sheets-Shea# 8 Filed July ,3, 1944 Wm/rag' fw nf #ff-wf,

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F. KRUEGER APPARATUS FOR APPING CONTAINERS June 7, l'1949.

12 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed July 5, 1944 WW/wf June 7, 1.949.4 F. w. KRUEGE'R 2,472,664

APR'ATUS FOR c-PPING CONTAINERS I Filed July 3, 1944 12 Sheets-Sheet 10 June 7, 1949. F. KRUEGER APPRATUS FOR CAPPING CONTAINERS 12 -sne'ets-sheet 11 Filed July 3. -1944 'June 7, 1949.

F. w. KRUEGER APPARATUS Fon cArPI'NG CONTAINERS.

12 Sheets-*Sheet 12 Filed July 3, 1.944-

Patented June 7, 1949 APPARATUS FOR CAPPING CONTAINERS Frank W. Krueger, Atherton, Calif., assignor to Food Machinery and Chemical Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Application July 3, 1944, Serial No. 543,336

8 Claims.

This invention relates to the art of capping containers and is especially useful in capping glass jars.

It is an object of my invention to provide a. novel method of and apparatus for vacuum capping containers.

A further object of my invention is to provide a method of and apparatus :for capping containers which is adjustable to handle containers of various sizes.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a novel method of and apparatus for vacuum capping containers by the use of steam.

Difficulty is experienced in the manufacture of certain containers such as glass jars so that the neck on the jar which is provided to receive the cap contains imperfections which renders it difficult to cap the jar.

It is a still further object of my invention to provide a method of and apparatus for capping containers which is automatically adaptable to the container so that such defects do not impair the character of the seam made in the capping operation.

In jar capping operations, there is some tendency for the cap to stick in the chuck which applies it thereby weakening the seal between the cap and the container when the latter is discharged from the chuck.

It is ari object of my invention to provide an apparatus for capping containers in which all tendency to weaken the seal from this source is eliminated.

In machine capping jars difficulty is experienced, because of the lack of uniformity in the height of the jars, to keep from applying such a pressure to the taller of these jars as will break them while they are still in the capper.

Yet another object of my invention is to provide an apparatus for capping jars in which the capping pressure is automatically held down to a value which the jars are able to stand without breakage.

Still another object of my invention is to provide an apparatus for vacuum capping containers Y the bottom of the capper head Where this engages the peripheral container engaging portion of the cap.

It is therefore a still further object of my in vention to provide an apparatus for capping containers and particularly glass jars giving an improved seal between the cap and the jar. l The manner of accomplishing the foregoing objects as well as further objects and advantages will be made manifest in the following description taken in connection with the drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic horizontal sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 and illustrates the container delivery and discharge mechanism of the invention.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on the line 3--3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 5 and showing the container feeding mechanism of my invention.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken on the line 5 5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5 and illustrating a head spacing device of the invention.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken on Vthe line 1--1 of Fig. 3 and illustrating the cap feeding device of the apparatus of my invention.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 7. i

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view taken o the line 9-9 of Fig. 7 and illustrating the operating mechanism of said cap feeder.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary elevational view taken on the line Ill-l0 of Fig. 9. A

Fig. 11 is a horizontal sectional view of said cap feeder taken on the line II-II of Fig. 9.

Fig. 12 is a diagrammatic development of corresponding 180 degree sections of the table elevator and capping cams of theinvention.

Fig. 13 is a similar view of the other 180 degree sections of said table elevator and capping cams.

Fig. 14 is a diagrammatic fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on `the radial line Il of Fig. 2 and the line l`4-Hl of Fig. 12 and illustrating ra capper head in the act of picking up a cap from the cap feeding disc.

Fig. 15 is a cross sectional View taken on the in my invention.

Fig. 16 is a view similar to Fig. 14 taken on the radial line I6 of Fig. 2 and line |6|5 of Fig. 12 and illustrates the capper head after it receives a. cap and has started upwardly and after a jar has been positioned on the rotor table therebeneath.

Fig. 1'1 is a similar view taken on the radial line I1 of Fig. 2 and line |1|1 of Fig. 12and illustrates the capper head in upwardly retracted position and the jar elevated on said rotor table forming a sealed chamber above the neck of said jar and beneath said cap and the opening of the steam valve allowing steam to be discharged into said chamber to fill the neck of said `jar with steam.

Fig. 18 is a similar view taken on the radial line |8 of Fig. 2 and line |8|8 of Fig. 13 and .illustrates the capper head as it presses the cap downwardly onto the neck of the jar to unite the cap with the jar and seal said jar.

Fig. 19 is a similar View taken on the radial line .|9 of Fig. 2 and line |9|9 of Fig. 13 and shows the capped jar being ejected from the capping head.

As my invention is .especially useful in the capping of vglass jars, it is disclosed` herein as associated with a jar capper 25' (see Figs. 1, 2 and 3). This capper includes a main frame .25 having a base 21, at one end of whichis formed a column well 28 in which a tubular column 29 of al power head 30 is received so as to be vertically adjusted therein by a screw 3 I. To accomplish this adjustment a wrench may beapplied through a window 32 in the column 29 to a hexagonal. shank 33 provided on said screw. Mounted between the base 21 and the power head 30 and rotatable about. a vertical axis is a` capping rotor 36 which receives jars and caps fed thereto and applies the caps to the jars. The jars are delivered to and discharged from the. rotor .36 by a. delivery and discharge mechanism 3,1 which is fully illustrated and .describedin my co-pending application for U. S. Letters Patent Serial N o.. 543,337', filed July 3, 1944, now PatentNo. 2,454,285, dated Nov. 23, 1948. Caps are fed to thecapping rotor 36 by a cap feeding device. 39 which is described in detail in my co-pending application for U; S. Letters Patent Serial. No. 543,338, led July 3, 1944, now Patent No. 2,417,938, dated March 25', 1947.

The capping rotor 36.

This rotor is mounted on avertical' mandrel 49 which journals in bearing 4| on the base 21' and bearing 42 on the power'head 3D. The mandrel 4U is rotated through a worm gear 43 by an elec- `tricmotor 44 mounted on the powerv head 38.

Surrounding the lower end-ofv theimandrel 4D and resting on' a thrust bearing 45 which in turn rests on the bearing 4| is an elevatorV unit 46. This unit includes a hub 41 which is adjustably secured by a lock 48to the mandrel 40 and has provided thereon a jar locating disc 49, a sprocket B, an elevator guide platform 55 and a conical shell' 56 on which is provided a cap feeder actuating gear 51.

The jar locatingfdiscdis provided with arcuate notches 58 in its periphery for receiving and locating jarsv 59 being handled bythe rotor 3B.

The sprocketa has a. series of openings 60 therein. Mounted on the guide platforrn55 isa i series of elevators. 6| each of vwhich includes a cylindrical'. guide .sleeve 62. in which Va .tubular elevator plunger 63 is. reciprocated vertically by engagementY of lrollers-64 on thelower. end thereof with cams 65 and 66. Each elevatorplunger 63 has a neck 1D at its upper end which extends through one of the openings 60 in the sprocket 59 and carries a table 1| on its upper end which overlaps the periphery of the sprocket 59.

The cams 65 and 66 unite to dene a cam path 12 illustrated in the lower portions of Figs. 12 and 13, this cam path having a low portion 13 and. a high. portion 14.

Fixed on the mandrel 40 and supported on a collar 15 of the latter is a capper head platform Secured to the power head 30 is an annular cam 11, an elevational development of which is shown in Figs. l2. and 13. This cam provides a, cam track 18 having an upper portion 19 at the end of which is provided a pivoted cam wall B0 which is yieldably pressed towards an adjusted downward position by a constant pressure air cylinder 8|. Following the cam wall is an adjustable upper cam wall causing the cam path 18 to descend sharply. Following the cam wall 85 is an upper cam wall 86 pivoted on a-screw 81 and spring pressed downward by a spring 88. Following the lower.- most point of contact on the upper cam wallV 86 is a lower portion 89 of the cam path 18 which terminates in a sharp rise to the beginning of the upper portion 19 of the cam path 13.

Resting on top of the capper head platform 16 and keyed to rotate therewith is a. lower steam manifold 99 having a series of steam holes 9| and exhaust holes 92 which connect respectively with an annular steam passage 93 and an annular exhaust passage 94 inaplate 95 which is held against rotation by a key 9B xedon. the cam- 11. The plate 95 is pressed downwardly against the manifold 99 by springs 91 which bear against a collar 98 upward movement of which is prevented by a bearing 99 resting against a collar |80 which is ixed upon the mandrel 40.

Mounted on the lower end of abracket .|05 (see Fig 13) which is xed on the power head 39 is a iixed cam roller. |96, this roller being disposedV just following the lowermost point in the adjustable upper cam wall 85.

Mounted in a series of bores |01 provided` in the rotary capper head platform 16 is a series of capper units |98. Each of the capper. units |98 (see Figs. 14 to 19 inclusive) has a tubular body |09 having a bore ||0 containing bushingsl and with a counterbore |2 at its upper end. The body |99 has a shoulder 3 which rests on the upper face of the platform 16 and a vertical slot ||4 is provided inwardly from the counterbore 2. Provided on the .lower endof the body |09 and. concentric'therewith is a cylinder H1 having a chamber H3 the upper end of which is vented to the atmosphere at I9. Formed integral with the cylinder ||1 is a valve unit |20 whichprovides a steam reception chamber |2| with which a steam pipe |22 connects through a flexible sylphon |23. The chamber 52| is connectedy by a passage |24 to a plugged steam injection passage |25. Extending downwardly from the passage |25 coaxially with thepassage |24 is-a threaded bore |26. Closing theupperend-of the chamber |2| and located coaxially with the passage |24 isia plug |21.

The jar loc'atng'disc 49 is' disposed close below the. lowerfend of the valve units |28 and has holes |281 eachof which is coaxial with the bore |26.

Disposed n-the. chamber |21, passage |24,.pas sage |25, bore |26 and hole 281s a valve memher. |29 which has threaded engagement with the threads of theA bore: |26` so as to vrotate when it is: moved` vertically as wellas move vertically when it is rotated. This valve member is yconstantly pressed downwardly by a spring |30 between the head of the valve and the plug |21 so that unless held open this valve is normally closed. Fixed on the lower end of the valve member |29 is a jar responsive arm 3| which is adapted when engaged by a jar 59 as shown in Figs. 16, 17, 18 and 19, to open the valve member |29 to permit steam t flow from the chamber |2| through the passage |24 and |25 and into the cylinder chamber I8 providing the inner end of the passage |25 is open.

Also provided in the valve unit |20 is an exhaust passage |32 (Fig. 15) which connects through a iiexible sylphon coupling |33 to an exhaust pipe 534. The steam pipe |22 and exhaust pipe |34 tap into threaded lower ends of the steam and exhaust holes 9| and 92 in the steam manifold 90.

Slideable in the chamber ||8 of each cylinder ||1 is a plunger |35, this being mounted on the lower end of a tube |36 which is vertically slideable in the bushings and carries at its upper end a cam roller |31 which travels in the cam track 18. The plunger |35 has an expansive seal ring |35--a near its upper end and a thin valve sleeve |35-b at its lower end. Suspended by a ball and socket joint |38 on the plunger |35 is a capper head |39 having beveled concave cap engaging surfaces |40 which are adapted to press against a peripheral portion of a cap C. Provided on the capper head |39 is a cap chuck |4| comprising a series of Spring pressed jaws |4|a which are adapted to yield when the capper head is pressed downward on a cap and then pick up said cap when said capper head returns upward.

Secured in a head |42 and extending downwardly through the tube |36, the joint |38 and the capper head |39 is a cap ejecting rod |43 which is normally held upwardly in inoperative position by a spring |44. When the rotor 36 turns, however, so that the head |42 engages the roller |06 (as shown in FigI 19) the rod |43 is depressed to eject the cap C from the cap chuck |4| and thus prevent these cap chucks from loosening a seal previously made between the cap C and the jar 59.

Secured to the lower face of cylinder ||1 is an annular rubber seal ring |45 which is adapted to make a snug sealing engagement with the upper shoulder of a jar 59 when this is presented upwardly thereagainst as shown in Fig. 17.

Delivery and discharge mechanism 37 Referring particularly to Figs. l, 2 and 3, this mechanism is seen to include sprockets |41, |40 and |49 which lie in the same horizontal plane as the sprocket 59 and a chain |50 which is trained about these sprockets as shown in Fig. 2. This chain carries a series of jar pushers |5| which extend upwardly therefrom and travel between stationary horizontal tracks |52 flanked by guides |53 to form a jar runway E54. Jars are fed onto the runway |54 by the jar feeder 38 in a manner which will be made clear hereinafter. This is accomplished so that one jar is disposed just in advance of the pushers |5|.

The tracks |52 are on substantially the same level as each of the elevator tables 1| when the latter is in its lowermost position by virtue of its roller 64 traveling in the lowiportion 13 of the cam path 12. These tracks |52 end as shown in Fig. 2 just outside the path followed by the tables 1| as they rotate with the rotor 36. The jars 59 are thus fed by the pushers I 5| from the ends of the tracks |52 onto the respective tables 1| as these arrive opposite the tracks |52.

As each table 1| continues to travel with the rotor 36 the rollers 64 of this table enter the high portion 14 of the cam path 12 thereby elevating this table to introduce the jar 59 carried on that table into the capper unit |08 disposed immediately thereabove. The capping operation is accomplished in aboutf degrees of rotation of the rotor 36 after which each table 1| is lowered by the roller 64 thereof descending into the low portion 13 of the cam path 12. This occurs gsi ea2c)h table 1| approaches the sprocket |41 (see Provided on the frame 26 to divert capped jars from the table 1| is a discharge chute |55 having a bottom |56 which is divided centrally to permit the pushers |5| to pass therethrough and which extends close to the path traveled by the lowered tables 1| on the rotor 36 so as to lie on substantially the same level as the lowered tables. The discharge chute |55 has side walls |51 and |58 which extend inwardly beyond the inner end of the chute bottom |56 to engage and guide jars 59 so that they will remain in front of the pushers |5| as the latter travel about the sprocket |41.

The capped jars on the lowered tables 1| are thus guided into and discharged along the chute |55 as shown in Fig. 2. The lowered tables 1| continue with the rotor 36 and are thus withdrawn from between an adjacent pair of jar pushers |5| and moved in between another pair of these jar pushers to receive another jar 59 being fed along the tracks |52 to the rotor 36.

It is to be noted that the tables 1| and the mechanisms for elevating these never interfere with the chain |50 entering or leaving meshing relation with the sprocket 50 of the rotor 36.

Jai-feeder 38 Referring particularly to Figs. 4, 5 and 6, the jar feeder 33 is seen to include a rotary receiving conveyor |6|, a rotary feeder |62 and a rotary head spacer |63.

The feeder 38 is supported on a circular pedestal |66 including a vertical shaft |61 which carries a horizontal spider frame |68, the latter being preferably connected to the frame 26 of the jar capper 25 as shown in Figs. 1 and 5.

The rotary conveyor I6| comprises a horizontal disc |10 mounted on a vertical shaft |1|, the lower end of which is xed on the frame |68. Provided on the shaft |1| is a collar |12 to which is attached one end of a container guide rail |13. The disc |10 is driven by a sprocket |14 disposed therebeneath. The frame |68 has a stub shaft |88 (see Fig. 5) on which is provided a gear pinion |89 having a sprocket |90, the latter being connected by a chain |9| to the sprocket |14 for the purpose of rotating the disc |10.

The rotary feeder |62 has a hollow vertical shaft |92 which surrounds an upper portion of the shaft |61 and rests on the frame |68. Fixed on the lower end of the shaft |92 is a feeder plate |93 having a master gear |94 which meshes with the pinion |89 so as to be driven by the latter.

Rotatable on a stub shaft (not shown) which is provided on the frame |68 is a counter gear |94-a. This gear meshes with gear |89 and with a gear |94-b which is mounted on and rotates with the sprocket |49. It is thus seen that the rotary receiving conveyor |6| and the rotary feeder |62 are driven in timed relation with the jar delivery and discharge mechanism 31 in which 7. the sprocket |49is-rotatedthrough the chain |50` by the sprocket 50i-of the -rot'or36L The plate-| 93 islcircularin form; the periphery thereof being notched to provide alternate jar supporting teeth |95 and |96. 'I'hev upper sur face of the plate |93`-haslriblike jar guides |91, one ofA which is disposed just t'o ther-ear of each of the peripheral teeth |95, each of the guides |91 lying in a substantially spiral'relation with the axis of the'platefl'93 The hollowshaft |923 has a' substantial portionv thereof providedA with external threads 20|. Resting on the feeder plate |93 and: centered upon an unthreaded lower portion of the hollow shaft |92 is a= jar guide 202 having a jar engaging rail 203'. The` guide 202 has a portion 204 which is connected to the capper frame 2B to prevent this guide from rotating with the shaft |-'92 upon which it is centered. The guide 202 has an invertedr U-shaped'bracket 201 which supports the forward end of the jar guide rail |13.

The rotary head spacer |'63 has an internally threaded hub |20 which screws onto the threads 201 and is held in a' vertically adjustable but xed' position on the hollow shaft |92 by a nut 2||`. The hub 210 has a circular platform 2|2 which is reinforced by web-like spokes 2|3 and carries near its periphery a series of tamping devices 215. These devices are identical, their construction being illustrated in detail in Fig. 6.

Each such device includes a flanged sleeve 2|6 which is inserted'upwardly in a hole 2|1 formed in the platform 21,2? and`1 is secured therein by a lock nut 218. InsertedV upwardly into the sleeve 216 is a cylindrical shell 219 having an outward flange 220 and a hole 221' forming an annular inner shoulder` 222 at its lower end. Screwed into the internally threadedV upper end of the shell 2|9 is a shell head 223 having an internal bore 226. The shell 2|"9 is normally held in its upper position with the flange 220 thereof 'conn t'acting the sleeve 216 by a coiled expansive spring 225.

Disposed within the shellV 2| 9 and extending through the hole 22| is a tamper rod 221 having a shoulder 228 xed thereon, this normally resting against the internal shoulder' 222. The upper end of the rodl 221 extends a' slight distance into the bore 226` when the rod 221 is' yieldably held downward :by a coiled expansive spring 230 in the position in which it is shown in Fig. 6.

Mounted on the lower end of the tamper rod 221 is a tamper 23| which preferably has an inverted frusto-conicalshape and is adapted to readily 't insidethemouth of a jar 58.

The rotary head spacer ||63 has an annular housing 233 which provides cover for that portion of the devices 215 which extend above the platform 212. This housing is supported on an overhead spider 234* which is rotatably centered on the upper end of the hub 2|0 and is connected by framel shafts 235 (see Figs. 1 and 4) to tige under frame |168 beneath the feeder plate Mounted on the 'spiderl 234 within the housing 233 and extending downwardly along the path taken by the devices 2|-5 as the platform 212 rotates, is a tamper operating cam 239 which is engaged by the shell heads 223 to lower each tamper 23|' into the mouth of ajar 59 disposed therebeneath.

Following` this action the cam 239 permits each shell head 223 to be lifted by spring 225 and thus withdraw the tamper 23| from the mouth of thejar4 therebeneai-.lrl

The rail 203 of'v the' jar guidev` 2302? is preferably- Cap feeding device 39 This device` includes a shaft 245 mounted on the frame 26 (seeFig. 3) and having a gear 245 on its lower end which meshes with the gear 51 of the. capping rotor. 36 so thatthis shaft ism.- tatedin timedrelation with the rotor. Fixed on the shaft 245 is a cap transfer disc 24B having cap indexing pins 249. The disc 248v is adapted to present a cap C beneath each of the capping heads |39 just as the capfchuck |41 thereof moves downwardly in vertical alignment with this cap. The chuck thuspicks up this cap and retains it in this headas the latter moves away from over the disc 248.

The disc 248 has a flange 253:1ying flat against the upper face of thedisc 248V andvsecured. thereto. The shaft 245 journals in al bearing 255 to which is attached a cover plate258.which overlies the disc 248 and supports a downward extending arcuate guard 259 spaced. concentrcally from the flange 253 so as to just allow the cap C to pass therebetween. Secured to the lower end of a pin 265 which is pivotallyv mountedina boss 263 provided on the cover plate 258 (seeFig- 8) is an arm 261 which is yieldably rotated by a spring 268 coiled about the pin 265 tozposition each cap C uniformly inwardly against the flange 253 and against a following pin 249 as these capsare carried with the disc 248. The arm 261 has a lug 212 carrying an adjustablestop, screw 213v which bears against. the cover plate 258 to limit the inward position of the arm 261.

The cap feeder has a housing 286 which is mounted onthe capper frame 26. Thishousing includes a gear box 281 and a camv box 288. Ex'- tending upwardly into thegearbox 281 and journalling inv a bearing 289 therein is a shaft 290 which is driven by suitable means (not shown) in timed relation with the rotor 36. Also journalled in the gear boxv 281 is a shaft-29| which is driven from the shaft 290 by spiral gears 292 and 293.

Journalled' in bearings 300and 301 in the cam box 288 is a cam shaft 302. Fixed on this shaft is a cylindrical cam 303 anda sprocket pinion 304, the latter being connected by a silent chain 305 to a sprocket. 306 fixed on the shafty 29|. Formed inl the cylindrical surface ofthe cam 303 is a cam groove 301. Provided on shaft 302 adjacent to bearing 300 is an eccentric 308.

Formed. internallyin the cam box 288 (Fig. 9') i's a boss 309 having a vertical bore 3|0 therein with a'counterbore 3| in its upper end. Secured in place inthe bore 3|0 as by screws 312 is a bushing 3|3. Extending through the boss 309 and the bushing 3|`3 is a vacuum duct 3 |'4 and a vacuum release passage 315. Vertically slideable within the bushing 313 is a tubular vacuumr cup plunger 316, the lower end of which is internally threaded to receive a cap screw 311 which secures liin block 3|8 to the lower end of the plunger Formed on this block is a crank pin 319 which is connected by a crank 320 with. the eccentric 3081. The plunger 316 has a port 325 controlling' the formation and releasing of vacuum within the plunger. The upper end of the plunger is internally threaded to receive a threaded sleeve 326 in which is mounted a vacuum cup unit 321. This unit includes a flanged hollow stem 323 which is slideable in the sleeve 326. A flanged collar 329 rests on top of the stem 328 and a cap screw 330 extends downwardly through this collar and is screwed into the upper threaded end of stem 328 so as to centrally grip and support a vacuum cup 33| at the upper end of the unit 321. Disposed within the cup plunger 325 is an expansion spring 332 which yieldably holds the unit 321 in its upwardmost position in the sleeve 326 as shown in Fig. 9-

The vacuum passage 3|4 connects with a pipe 333 which leads to a suitable vacuum tank 340 (not shown).

Referring now to Figs. 9 and 11, it will be seen that the cam box 238 has a top wall 354 which i unites with the upper end of the boss 309, this top wall having a central openingv 356 formed longitudinally therein. The upper portions of edges of this opening are milled away to provide a pair of opposed parallel slide flanges 351 and guide s' shoulders 358 which unite to form a crosshead slideway 359.

Just over the crank 320 and bearing 300 is lifter guide plate 360 which is held in place by screws 36| which are screwed into suitable threaded holes in side flanges 351. Guided vertically in a bore provided in plate 350 is a lifter 364, the lower end of which is provided with a contact flange 365 and the upper end of which has an extension screw 366.

The lifter 364 normally rests in its downward position (shown in Fig. 9) in which the flange 365 engages bearing 300.

Seated in the slideway 3591s a crosshead 368, the body of which extends above the upper face of the top wall 354 and which has a downward extending boss 369 on which is carried a cam responsive roller 310 which extends into the cam groove 301.

Mounted in suitable grooves formed in the upper face of the crosshead 368 are shanks 312 of cap feeder fingers 313, said ngers resting slideably on the upper face of the guide plate The shanks 312 are secured in place on the crosshead as by flathead screws 311. cured downwardly onto the top wall 354 as by 'leap screws 319 are gib plates380 and a cap plate 38| (see Fig. 9). The gib plates 380 slideably hold the cross head 368 in the slidewayl 359 and -thus complete the latter. It is to be noted that f the cap feeder 39 is mounted on the jar capper .25 so that the upper face 355 of the top wall 354 is disposed just a slight vdistance above the surface of the cap transfer disc 248 (see Fig. 9). lAs the upper face of the plate 360 is flush with the upper surface 355 of the top wall 354, the cap feeder ngers 313 operate slideably above and in sliding contact with the surface 355.

Connected to the cambox 288 by a hinge 382 is a cap magazine 384. lThis magazine has a tubular body 395 to which the hinge 382 connects and which is engaged by a leaf spring 386 provided on the cam box 288 to latch the magazine in operative position as shown in Figs. 1, '1., 9 and 10. The magazine body 385 has opposed vertical sight slots 398 and at right angles thereto is yprovided with shorter slots 399.v Mounted ion suitable bearings near the upper end ofthe body.

are shafts 402, each shaft vcarrying a claw 403 10 and an arm 404 which is provided with bolts 405. 499, this receiving one of the bolts 405 through a slot 401 and having a central horizontal bottom flange 408. This flange is disposed directly above the adjustable extension screw 366.

The magazine body 385 also has four openings 4|0 formed therein adjacent the bottom edge thereof. Pivotally between lugs 4|| disposed above each of the openings 4|0 is a stripper jaw 452 through which a bolt 4|3 fixed in the body 305 extends. This bolt holds a compression spring M4 adjustably against jaw 4|2 to press this inwardly through the opening 4|0. Extending through the jaw 4|2 is a set screw 4|5 which engages the body 385 and adjustably determines the distance which the jaw 4|2 extends inwardly through the opening 4|0. The jaw 4|2 is pivoted on pins 4H provided in the lugs 4|| and these pins serve to anchor the lower ends of contractile springs 4 1, the upper ends of which hook through openings in the flange 498 so that these springs continually urge the claws 403 inwardly through the holes 399 excepting when the pull of these springs is opposed by the lifter 364 lifting the link 406.

The lower end of the magazine body 385 is cut away (see Fig. 9) to form a passage 422 which is approximately of the same width as the internal diameter of the magazine body 385. This passage extends parallel with the feeder fingers 313 which are reciprocated through this passageway to eject caps C therefrom as will be made clear hereinafter. Hingedly mounted on the body 385 (see Figs. 7 and 9) so as to overlie the transfer disc 248 and rest on the hub flange 253 thereof is a cap hold-down plate 423.

Operation In preparing the capper 25 for operation, live steam is supplied to the steam passage 93 through a pipe 430 (see Fig. 16) and provision is made for exhausting waste steam from exhaust steam passage 94 through a similar pipe 43|. The magezine 384 of the cap feeder 39 is also supplied with a stack of caps C as shown in Figs. 1 and 9. Air from a suitable source under a constant pressure, preferably about 10 pounds per square inch, is supplied to the air cylinder 8l. Thepipe 333, as aforesaid, is also connected with a vacuum tank. Jars 59 .which have previously been i'llled with a product to be canned are now fed onto the horizontal disc |10 of the rotary receiving conveyor |6| asshown in Fig. 4. y

The capper 25 is now started by energizing the electric motor 44 which rotates the capping rotor 36 and therebysets in motion the other mechanisms of the capper.

The discs |10 and |93 of the jar feeder 38 are thus caused to rotate in opposite directions as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 4. The jars 59 which are set at random on the disc |10, are crowded into a single file row and then fed in an orderly sequenceonto the disc |93 which delivers them in exactly spaced and timed relation konto the jar runway |54, each jar being placed between an adjacent pair of the jar pushers |5|.

The accurate spacing is accomplished by the rib-like guides |91 on the disc |93. While the jars are resting on the teeth |95 of the plate |93 spaced uniformly from the axis oi' this plate with the jars engaging the concentric portionA of the jar engaging rail 203, each of these jars is disposed beneath one of thetamping devices- 2|5 75 and the tamper 23| thereof is depressed into Connecting the bolts 405 loosely is a link o this jar by thec :am239vv soas to leave this jar containing an exactlypredetermined amount of contents so that whenthejars are capped in the capper their contents will be uniform.

.As the 'tamping Vdevices 2'|5 -mo've beyond the cam x'ieath this jar While the 'lirisstill traveling betweenthe guide 'rails |53 o f ytherunway |54 but sb'elng propelled yby ajarjpusher |5| lbeyond .theiner ends of'theiracks l s2 as shown in Fig. 2. As veac'hvj'ar `i`s thusdeliVered onto one ofthe elevater,V tables 1| itis 'in iserted into'one of ,the fl'otchsi'f the jlioatir'lg disc 49 befle 4this jar is ut'irom between the guide rails I 53. This delverycauses 'this jar to engage the 'adjacent 'jar Lrespon's'ive'ar'm |3| which 'rtat'es and opens the steam valve. '|'2 9 of'the c'apper unit |08 there- `"above:so that'steaih is supplied@ this unit'in 4'the subsequent operation' of *steaming and cappingthis'jar.

At the time eachjar islthus delivered beneath 'one "f 1the''c'ai'ngier 'units i |08 the capper head I 3 9 f'thatuhitcnchis a cap heid inthe 'chocan-4| thereof 'Whi'ehf had 'just pij'evi'ously been received from thecaptan'sfer d isc 24 8.- l

`The functioning 'of the' capi feeder 3 9 to' 'de1iver acapC to 'thev disc l48" is's follows: Through the drive 'connection betweencap feederl 39 and the 'capping rotor"I 35. the1shatf302 together' -with the am-`3||3 andLeccentric308 j provided thereon is given oneA revolition for 'each oneetenth revolution of the capping' r'otr36. There are' tenl capping units |08 on therotor`36 and the feeder 39 thus f eeds one capto the disc 248 Afor each of these un'itsfduring each revolution of' the rotor36. y"Ihe bottommest fca'pA `C is yengaged -by the vacuum c`up 33 I Horlthe 4fp lungfer 3 6 "as the latter is elevated"by'u theeccentric 3||8 and, the'Y evacuation 'of' air from between! this cupan'd thelowermostcap'causes the latter to be p ul1ed downv vardly vith` this cap( as'the plunger 3 lli-descends. .This dlivr's'this partitie' the pathtfith@ imp feeder; fingers 313' just'jbe'fore 'these 'are 1extended through the hottmfjfthe'magazine sat1-by the action 'of' the" c ain' 'grooief 301 on the` rollerf3I0. As thefplungei"A SI'B'jis 'lowered'afterIv thus pulling 'a` cap"downwardly,jtheport 325 Ain the plunger moves out" of; regi'strvwith the4v vauumj'duct '3 I 4 This releases the 'vacuihn between the "vacuum cup' 33|"andtie" cap'j engaged thereby so that this capinayi'esphdto thengers 313 and be fed out onto the disc '248. "The f'e'dingof caps'infthis'finanner is so timed that' each' cap is'jde'posit'ed ijust" in advance A'ofia pin'2'49 and, as shofwnfin1 Eig; 7 `is delivered beheath 'one 0ftheiunits |118 j usiiin 'einem beengaged` by 'the cap chuckfMIof- 'this unitas shown ing Figqlfi. 'H ere it "seeni'that' the roller |31 engages the upper "camf'wal-l 85 whiclfi'` yieldably presses thephuck |'4 I'down c ausing'the cap therebeneath tospringthearms fdoutwardly. Thus When' lthis Chuck Y'lsflftet'i byd 'Qllel` |31j illus- 'tratedat line |6-'"||5"ln Fig. 12,'the'cap-C-"fis carried away by this'chuck.

As the rotor movesthisl p'articular"jar"f`59 between the positionin'which'itis sh'o'wri in Fig. 16 and the positio'nin whieh it is shown irlv Fig elevatorjtable 'I Iv on which tests is lifted 12 to bring the upper shoulder of the Yjar into sealing relation with'the'seal-ring |45, while engagement of the --roller |31 with the lower Wall of the 'cam lifts the capper -head |39 of this unit upwardly into'its uppermost position in the chamber I8. This spaces the cap C'held in the chuck |4| above the open Vupper end of the .jar 59 -to fdr'xn a space through which steam may enter to remove the air'fr'o'm thesp'ace in the mouth of the jar above lthe 'product contained therein.

Withdrawal upward of the Avplunger |35 also shifts the valve sleeve 13S-b upwardly to uncover the steam injection :passage |25 and ex- 'h'aust 'passage '|32. the valve |29 is 'at this time 'being 'held open by engagement of the jar 59 with the arm |3I, steam fiowsfrom the steam `pipe `|2 2`past the'valve I29and through the passage '|25 into the chamber II |8. `This steam enters this chamber tangentially as shown in lFig. l'15 and in the plane of vthe space between the upper end of'theja'r and the cap'C.

The 'steain thus entering the chamber 8 Aows through the space'b'etween'the cap and the ltop o'fthe iarjsoastdfoma vortex of steam'in this of thej'ar causin'gthis air'to be discharged'with vthe steam escapirigfrom'the 'chamber I |8'throug'h the exahustpassage |32. The openspaceinthe upper'erid of the jar" 5 9 an'dfb'etween this and the cap-Cisthus'completely'lled with steam.

y Tliesteamin'g' 'step fjust described continues as the capper unit Jv|08, in "which this takes place, travels on'the'rotor'' fromfthe position indicated byline "in Figs. "2' 'and 12' until .justl befor'ethis ca'pper unit'arriv'esin the position-indicated by line I8 in said views. That is,-the 1steamingI operation "continues j until the capping "operation, which' takespla'ce 'whenthe ro1ler`|3"| of that capper unit, engagesthe'uppercam wa'll "Which 'depresses the 'capperhead 39 a sliheadfonto th'ejar'l59 as'sh'own' in 'Fig '18. The deprssionfoftbefffto accomplish this slides theI plungert I.3S-"and"'sleeve'v |'35-"b thereof down# wardly in the chamber ||8 so as to -close'the stearri in-ltlai-id e'ic'l'iau'stA passages |25 andI |32.

when the ca1n-iedj jaiv is ejected the' 'e1evator 'table 1 iiisibeing'rapidly lowered 'to' the level 'offline discharge chute |56 andthe' capped' jar 'resting on thisltelzile' arrives between the sidewalls |51 ad'fl. *At this'point the'ch'ain |50 and'jar 'plishe'ls startfrbucf 'the'sp'r'ocket |41.' the pitch line ofiwhil'iislcatedllu the center of thedlscharge chute |55. 'I he jar pusher |5| behind each capped jai vehte'riiig this chute tlius'propellsv this jar along thischuteand away'from 'over'the' eieyator'table 1| which carriedithls jar to this chute. This jar' is thus propelled by 'this pusher 5 until 13 the latter travels about the sprocket |48 vand thereby moves out of the chute |55. This chute is preferably inclined downwardly where it leads away from the sprocket |40 so that the capped jars slide down this chute by gravity after they leave contact with the pushers I Just after the ejection of the capped jar from the capper chuck |4|, as shown in Fig. 19, the roller |31 moves into contact with a boss 425 on the lower cam 66 which lies just ahead of the upper cam wall 86 (see Fig. 12). Engagement with this boss lifts the roller |31 and its capper head |39 so that as this capper head approaches the position indicated by line I4 in Fig. 2 and line 4| 4 in Fig. 12, this capper head is suspended high enough on the capping rotor 36 so as to clear the cap C being conveyed on the cap transfer disc 248 as shown in Fig. 7 into position to be picked up by this particular capper head. Thus when this capper head arrives at the position indicated on line |4 and is depressed by engagement of its roller |31 with the upper cam wall 06 (see Fig. 12) the spring arms |4|a of its cap chuck are spread into expanded gripping relation with said cap.

A complete cycle of operation of a cap unit |08 has now been described. This cycle is repeated over and over by each of the capper units on the rotor 36 as long as the machine is in operation.

It is to be noted that Whenever a jar is not present on an elevator table 1| so as to engage the arm |3| thereabove and thereby rotate and open the valve |29 associated therewith, this valve remains closed so that no steam can be fed to this capper unit. This is for the purpose of preventing the escape of steam from any of the capper units |08 when, for some reason during the operation of the machine, a jar is not fed to that unit. In other words, when a jar is not fed to the elevator table 1| of a unit |08, when this comes into position to receive a jar, that unit travels a complete revolution with the capper rotor 36 with steam valve |29 of that unit closed as shown in Fig. 14.

It is also to be noted that the ball and socket mounting of the capper head |39 on the plunger |35 permits the capper head to rotate about the center of this so as to uniformly press all peripheral portions of a cap onto a jar regardless of whether the plane of the mouth of this jar is at right angles to the axis of this capper unit or not. Occasionally jars 50 are thus deformed and this feature of my invention adapts the capper head to the jar and insures a good seal being effected in each capping operation.

I have also discovered that application of the cap C to a container such as a jar 59 with a beveled face |40 on the capper head where this engages the periphery of the cap delects the rim of the cap downwardly into an especially tight sealing relation with the extreme outer edge of the neck of the jar and that this is instrumental in forming a uniformally tight seal between the cap and the jar.

Jars 59 also diier somewhat in height and the air cylinder 8| of my invention is provided with the upper cam wall 80 to yield during the capping operation a sufficient distance to allow for variations in the heights of the jars capped. I have found that a constant pressure of about pounds per square inch in the cylinder 8| is preferable.

While I have shown and described herein only a single preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that various changes may be made on this without departing from the spirit 14 of the invention orthe scope of appended claims.

What I claim is: 1. An apparatus for vacuum capping containers which comprises: a table for supporting a container; a cylinder disposed above said container and in axial alignment therewith to'provide a steam chamber; a plunger axially slideable in said cylinder; a capper provided on the bottom of said plunger; annular seal means on said cylinder surrounding the lower end thereof and adapted to engage said container; means causing relative vertical movement between said cylinder and said container supporting table to bring the upper end of said container and said seal means into sealing engagement, there being opening means in the wall of said cylinder for admitting steam thereto; and means operating in timed relation with said movement means for lifting said plunger upwardly in said cylinder so as to uncover said opening means and i'lll said chamber with steam between said capper and the upper end of said container when the latter engages said seal means and for then moving said capper downwardly to apply said cap to said container while surrounded by an atmosphere of steam.

2. A combination as in claim 1 in which said steam opening means in the wall of said cylinder is disposed tangentially with respect to the axis of said steam chamber.

3. An apparatus for capping containers which comprises: a capper head; chuck means on said head for supporting a cap when applied thereto; means for reciprocating said capper head to press said cap onto a container; and means for pressing said cap on said container while said chuck means is being withdrawn with said head from engagement with said cap.

4. An apparatus for capping containers which comprises: a capper head; chuck means on said head for supporting a cap when applied thereto; means for reciprocating said capper head to press said cap onto a container; means on said head adapted to contact said cap; and means operating in timed relation with said head reciprocating means for pressing said contact means against said cap to hold said cap on said container while said chuck means is being withdrawn with said head from contact with said cap.

5. An apparatus for capping containers which comprises: means for supporting a container; a capper head; means for reciprocating said head to press a cap on said container; universal connection means for connecting said head to said reciprocating means; a rod extending vertically through lsaid universal means and adapted to engage said cap; and means operating in timed relation with said reciprocating means to press said rod against said cap to hold said cap on said container while said capper head is being withdrawn from engagement with said cap.

6. An apparatus for capping containers which comprises: a rotor; means for supporting a container on said rotor; a capper head; a cam means for reciprocating said capper head towards and away from said container; and a yieldably pressed cam section into operative relation with which said capper head moves as said rotor rotates and which imparts a yieldable pressure to said capper head to press a cap onto said container, said cam section compensating for variations in the height of said container.

7. An apparatus for vacuum capping containers which comprises: a table for supporting a container; a cylinder disposed above said container and in axial alignment therewith; a plunger emacs axially slideable fin ysaid cylinder: a pepper' -prvvided on the bottom of said plunger, there being opening means in the wail of said cylinder for admitting steam thereto, said plunger Kcovering said opening means when it isv Iin capping .-position; means .for elevatingfsaid. table .for lifting 'a container upwardiy'lto the lower endof said cylinder; and means operatingiin timedV relation with said table lifting means for lifting said `plunger upwardly in said `cylinder so as to Iuncover said I0 opening means permitting Aste'amto bevdischarged therefrom between saidcapper andthe upper end of said'container, andrfor thenmoving said'capper downwardly to apply said ycap to said container before the steam between` said .capper andsaid container has condensed.

8. An apparatus for capping containers which comprises: meansvfor supporting a container; a capper head; means for reciprocating saidhea'd to-press acap on said container; a rod extendingv 20 yR EFERENCE S CITED The following 4references `are of record in the fie of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 831,527 Landsberger Sept. 18, 1906 72,120,272 Williams et al June14, 1938 2,126,942 Barnby Aug. 16, 1938 12,338,047 Minaker Dec. 28, 1943 2,339,035 Stewart et al June 111, 1944 

